Welcome to the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki!
The Orientation Week for autumn 2026 will take place in 24.-28.8.
For most new students, Orientation Week is an exciting, inspiring, and event-filled experience. If possible, we recommend keeping the entire week free from other commitments so that you can make the most of it. In the beginning, you will encounter a huge amount of new information, places, and people. Everything will gradually become familiar as the academic year progresses, so there’s no rush to learn everything at once. The most important thing is to learn to ask for help when you need it.
You will get the most out of Orientation Week by participating actively in the events at your own pace and by approaching new people openly. However, Orientation Week is only the beginning of your university journey, so we encourage you to stay curious and social even after the first weeks. There’s no expectation to find your closest friends during the first few days; instead, the goal is to get to know the wider university community. We encourage you to explore your own interests and inspiration, both in student organizations and in your studies.
At Biosfääri and in our other organisations, we aim to foster a warm and welcoming atmosphere together. We encourage you to come to the orientation just as you are! Before Orientation Week, please take a moment to get familiar with our Safer Space Principles that participants follow in our events and all other activities.
New students are divided into tutor groups according to their degree programme. Your tutors will contact you, usually by email, at least on the week before Orientation Week, as the University receives the final student lists relatively late.
You can find up-to-date information about the programme organized by Biosfääri ry on this page and on our social media channels. The University’s and the degree programmes’ own programme can be found in the Studies service.
Bachelor freshers’ orientation 2026:
Sat 22.8. Pre-orientation day from 12 noon in Sinebrychoff Park is a relaxed get-together organized before Orientation Week, offering a chance to get to know other new students. There will be various get-to-know-you activities and games, as well as introductions to student organizations. Feel free to bring your own blanket and some snacks. After the park programme, there will be an opportunity to, for example, grab something to eat at Unicafe in Kaivopiha. For this, it’s a good idea to have your student card ready. In the evening, we’ll continue the night at Malja Helsinki from 19:30 onwards.
Mon 24.8. Fresher bingo at 18:00 at Maaherranpuisto in Viikki
Tue 25.8. Park hangout in the evening at Vanha Kirkkopuisto, Tuesday party (Biosfääri x MMYL) at 22-4 at Maxine
Wed 26.8. Info market at 11-14 at Forest Sciences building in Viikki, Outdoor games at 16-18 at Maaherranpuisto in Viikki, Board games night at 18:00 at Rondo Beer House in Latokartano
Thu 27.8. Campus orienteering at 13-17 in Viikki, Park hangout in the evening at Vanha Kirkkopuisto, Interdisclipinary freshers’ party (Biosfääri x EKY x MMYL x TYT x YFK) at 22-4 at Maxine
Fri 28.8. Program organized by your study field’s subject organization, for example trip to Korkeasaari Zoo or Sea Life. Your tutors will inform you more
Masters and international freshers’ orientation 2026:
Mon 24.8. Pre-orientation day at 12-15 in Suomenlinna
Tue 25.8. Park hangout in the evening at Vanha Kirkkopuisto, Tuesday party (Biosfääri x MMYL) at 22-4 at Maxine
Wed 26.8. Info market at 11-14 at Forest Sciences building in Viikki, Board games night for bachelor freshers at 18:00 at Rondo Beer House in Latokartano
Thu 27.8. Park hangout in the evening at Vanha Kirkkopuisto, Interdisclipinary freshers’ party (Biosfääri x EKY x MMYL x TYT x YFK) at 22-4 at Maxine
Fri 28.8. Board game night at 17:00 at Rondo Beer House in Latokartano